Got a Minute with Candie Ray

Tuesday

Sep 3, 2013 at 6:33 AM

Mark SchulmanTimes-News Staff Writer

Residence: Hendersonville

What is a book artist?

A book artist is a person that puts their creative ideas into the form of a book. Some people fold books, some cut designs into the pages and some like to paint the pages. I have done a little bit of everything with them, but I enjoy the folding the best.

What is the process?

Once I have a request for a book, I try to find out a little bit about the person that the book is for. Sometimes I can locate a book that compliments them and that makes it a little more personal. For instance, if the book is for a baseball fan, I will try to find a book that has their team's favorite colors on the hardcover. Afterward, it involves some simple math to center the word in the book, and then I start folding the pages into a design.

What kind of books do you make?

The majority of books that I make have been for sports teams. NFL teams seem to be a favorite among requests. Also, first and last names are high on the list. If I can find a book that will hold the word or words, I can usually fold them into the book.

Who do you make the books for?

I get requests to make books for individuals, businesses and schools have used them in auctions to raise money. I donate folded books to local charities when they have special events where they give away door prizes. A lot of individuals are requesting wedding books where I fold the book with the bride and groom's name, or the wedding date.

When did you start your business Candies Book Art and how many books have you made?

I started folding books at the end of 2011 after much trial and error and practicing while sitting at our local bar, The Dugout. I decided to start selling them for a little extra money. Business has been good so far, word of mouth, and good friends have helped me start to grow my business with an estimated 400-plus books sold in the last year.

What was your most unusual request and why?

Believe it or not I have not had any unusual requests as of yet; some funny nicknames, but everything has been normal so far. I'm looking forward to unique requests though, and I am sure they are out there waiting to be folded for that special someone.

How did you get into the craft?

In 2011, I was laid off from my job that I had been employed at for 6 years. I spent hours each day looking for a new career and something to focus on. I ran across a picture of a folded book and was hooked. I would spend hours late at night working on the formula to create the alphabet into the pages of the book. It took me about a month and half to get it figured out and entered onto a spread sheet. I made the capital letters first, then last year I was able to work on the lower-case alphabet. Next challenge will be a cursive or script font, at some point in the future.

What do you like most about creating book art?

I love books, and in this day and age most people are using e- readers, including myself. I had hundreds of hardback books lying around my house, collecting dust. I decided to recycle them into art. They can still be used to read, displayed on a shelf or table and some lucky person gets to have a unique piece of art. I like the fact that the books find a new home and are repurposed in an unusual way.

What is the most challenging part of creating book art?

I find the most challenging part for me is keeping up with my count on the pages. When I am uptown folding a book, I have people stop and ask me questions (which I love.) But I tend to get distracted and lose my place in the folding process. I have missed letters in the word or realized I spelled the word wrong.

It's trial and error.

What are some of your customers' reactions when they see the finished product?

Most people are amazed that it can be done. I love the look on their faces, just seeing them smile and telling me how it's going to look in the house or that they are taking the book to work and displaying it for everyone to see.

If someone wanted to request a book, how would they contact you?

If you would like to request a book or have questions, I can be reached by phone at 843-267-8911, leave a message or send a text. I can also be reached by email at wickedgame65@gmail.com, or you can visit my Facebook page Candies Book Art. Leave me a message and I will contact you as soon as possible.